Tag Archives: THE FROGS AND CUNNING OLD SNAKE

53. THE FROGS AND CUNNING OLD SNAKE

There lived a brown snake by the name of Mandvishya near a pond. The pond was full of frogs – big and small. They were all leading a happy life under the good rule of their king frog. The big brown snake had become old and weak and could no more catch his prey easily for his meals. So he decided to play a ruse upon the frogs. One day, he went to the pond and lay there as if he was suffering from illness. After sometime, the king frog happened to come out of water. He saw the brown snake lying by the side of the pond in a pitiable condition. When he asked for the reason in a frightened tone, the snake said, “A week before, I bit the son of a pundit by mistake, because he had tried to kill me with a stick. He died immediately. Now the pundit has cursed me. According to his curse, I’ll have to serve the frogs and have to eat whatever they offer me for food. So, I’m here to serve you.”